BTS directly addressed the controversy surrounding skyrocketing accommodation prices in Busan ahead of the group’s upcoming solo concerts in the city.
Following their appearance at the American Music Awards in Las Vegas on May 25, where the group won three awards including Artist of the Year, BTS held a livestream through Weverse and openly discussed the issue.
Leader RM began by saying, “There’s something I really wanted to say. There has been so much news about accommodation prices in Busan lately.”
Jimin responded, “It honestly makes me feel bad,” while RM added, “I wish people wouldn’t do that.”
Jungkook bluntly reacted by saying, “That’s seriously over the top.”
RM continued, “We have to think long-term, don’t we?” to which Jungkook again emphasized, “It’s really too much.”
SUGA also expressed disappointment, noting that Busan has recently been gaining popularity as a tourist destination. RM added that the city has been developing a trendy image, describing it as “kind of like Korea’s Miami.”
Jimin shared concern for fans traveling to the city, saying, “I just hope people leave with good memories.” RM admitted the members felt powerless to directly solve the issue despite wanting to help.
When RM asked the Busan-born members to say something, Jungkook jokingly responded in dialect, “Enough already,” drawing laughter from the group.
The members repeatedly stressed that the price hikes had gone too far. “It’s seriously excessive,” Jimin said, while RM firmly added, “Let’s keep it reasonable. Seriously.”
The livestream later turned lighthearted when Jin joked that RM should open a hotel business himself. Jimin laughed and called it “a good idea,” while V teased RM by saying, “Honestly, you could probably buy a hotel.”
Earlier this year, an investigation by South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission reportedly found that accommodation prices in Busan during BTS’s concert period had increased by an average of 2.4 times, with some prices rising as much as 7.5 times higher than usual. Reports also emerged of previously confirmed reservations being canceled by lodging businesses and resold at higher prices.
As criticism grew, some fans announced “no-spend” campaigns in Busan, while others joked about attempting “sleep-free challenges” or staying in saunas instead of booking overpriced hotels.
Meanwhile, BTS is scheduled to hold its new world tour concert ‘ARIRANG’ at Busan Asiad Main Stadium on June 12 and 13.
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